Hi,

This is a short Merlin fanfic, in which Merlin comforts Arthur ;) As always I'm sorry for my grammar mistakes, 'cause I'm not native speaker...
Enjoy :)

Disclaimer: If I'd own Merlin, Arthur would never die and we'd have at least 10 seasons...

Story: Missing father
By: Mischel

Merlin slowly and silently opened the door to Arthur's chambers. He was supposed to tidy his room and Arthur sent him to muck out the stables and polish his armour, but he already did that. So now he just wanted to tidy Arthur's room.

But what he saw when he went in, almost broke his heart. Arthur was sitting on the edge of his bed and was silently crying. Uther died today and Arthur missed his father. Just like Merlin did when his father died.

Merlin came closer to Arthur, that seemingly didn't even noticed Merlin was there, and sat next to him on the bed. When Merlin looked on his friend's face, tears streaming down his cheeks, he knew exactly what he now needed. A strong embrace. To let him know he wasn't alone.

He knew how Arthur felt now. He could remember that emptiness in his heart the day his own father died. He could remember his own loneliness . That empty place in his heart that once belonged his father. Once and forever. He could remember himself that day his father died. And there was no one, no one he could hug. Not even Arthur. He had to hide his feelings from him.

And Merlin wanted prevent Arthur from this feeling. He didn't want his friend to feel alone in this hard time. And that was the reason why Merlin put his arms around Arthur and pulled him closer to him. Arthur raised his own hands onto Merlin's back and tightened the embrace, still crying. He buried his head into Merlin's smaller shoulder and cried. Merlin just put his hand on Arthur's head and was comforting him.

Merlin's jacket was already wet by Arthur's tears but Merlin didn't mind. All he wanted now was just to comfort Arthur. He felt tears form in his own eyes, but he didn't let them fall. He was the one who was supposed to be strong now. He was the one who was comforting Arthur.

Merlin felt guilty for Arthur's father's death. He was the one who was supposed to save Uther. But he failed. He knew it wasn't his fault, but Morgana's. It was her, who gave Agravaine that necklace and it was Agravain, who gave it Uther around neck. But it was him, who was supposed to control if something's not good. Arthur trusted him, even if he knew he was a sorcerer. But he was too happy because of this and because of the promise Arthur made, that he forgot. Arthur promised him he's gonna allow magic back to Camelot, if he'll help his father. And Merlin wanted it most of all.

They were sitting there, still hugging each other and Arthur was still crying. Less, but still. It was his father, who died, after all. Arthur would never admit it... But he needed Merlin. As friend. Best friend. He needed a hug. And Merlin was there to give him what he needed the most. And he was really gratefull at that. To have such a great and understanding friend.

When Merlin realized after a while, that Arthur fell asleep, he slightly smiled. Arthur fell asleep in his friend's embrace. Probably another thing he's never gonna admit.

Merlin carefully to not awake Arthur, put him away and laid him in his bed. He put a blanket over him. Arthur was so innocent when he was sleeping.

Merlin stood above Arthur a while, watching his sleeping friend, before he came closer, bowed, kissed him on his forehead, slightly smiled and left...

Did you like it? Please, tell me what you think! :D